Another convincing win, another 4-0 victory following the match in Empoli against North Macedonia: the Italian Under-21s also came out victorious in Borås, away to Sweden, ending yet another showstopping game without conceding. Koleosho’s first-half brace set the tone, with Ndour and Lipani adding to the scoreline in the second half. With this success, the Azzurrini are close behind Poland, who remain top of the group (three points ahead of Lipani and his teammates) after a 1-0 win at home against Montenegro. Qualification for Albania and Serbia 2027 (with group winners and the best runner-up qualifying directly) will now be decided over the last two group matches: on 1 October away to Armenia and the decisive 5 October clash at home against Poland.

BALDINI’S COMMENTS AFTER THE MATCH
After the game, coach Silvio Baldini commented, “These lads are very intelligent. They understand the importance of every game, where everyone is watching. They have the opportunity to show their worth and secure results by playing to their strengths, including pace and technique. They need to focus on themselves, and football will reward them. The game sees who gives it their all and repays that. The most important thing is to put your heart into it.”

THE MATCH
Compared to the game in Empoli, Baldini made two changes to the starting lineup: Kayode started on the right wing in place of Favasuli, and Fini replaced Cherubini on the left side of the attacking trio. The match began on fairly equal footing, with the Azzurrini struggling to find space in build-up play against Sweden’s compact 4-4-2. The hosts created the first dangerous chance in the 11th minute: from the first corner of the match, Zätterström’s neat header was comfortably saved by Palmisani. In the 18th minute, Italy came through with their first real attacking spark: Lipani was fouled in the box, and referee Bourdeaud’hui had no doubts. It was a clear penalty. Koleosho stepped up and calmly converted to make it 1-0. The goal set Baldini’s boys running riot, and in the 22nd minute, they doubled the lead: Koleosho won the ball high up the pitch, broke through one-on-one with Bishesari, and finished decisively for 2-0. The clinical one-two from the Paris winger gave confidence to Lipani and his teammates. In the 32nd minute, from a fine cross by Koleosho, Ndour came close to making it 3-0 with a quick poacher’s touch in front of Bishesari, but it narrowly missed.

THE SECOND HALF
After the 2-0 first-half lead, Italy came out strong at the start of the second half. Koleosho caused havoc in midfield and found a through ball that put Ndour one-on-one with Bishesari. The Fiorentina midfielder’s left-footed strike beat the Swedish goalkeeper to make it 3-0. With just over half an hour to go, Baldini made his first substitutions: Venturino and Cherubini replaced Dagasso and Fini. The match was clearly headed one way, and after a free kick won by Ekhator, Lipani headed in Bartesaghi’s precise delivery for the Azzurrini’s fourth goal. Baldini continued to make use of his bench effectively. Venturino and Cherubini made immediate impacts, and Honest Ahanor made his debut in the Azzurrini jersey, replacing Bartesaghi. With ten minutes to go, Ekhator came close to scoring the fifth goal, but his effort just flew over the crossbar. Ndour tried again five minutes from time, but his right-footed diagonal skimmed the far post.

SWEDEN 0-4 ITALY (HT 0-2)

Sweden (4-4-2): Bishesari; Skoglund, Amoran, Zätterström, Tolf (Sjostrand 58’); Antwi, Karlsson (Kanga 84’), Bjorklund, Sonko (Njie 66’); Omorowa (Kusi-Asare 66’), Rafferty (Thorell 66’). Substitutes: Picornell, Makolli, Kurtulus, Boudri. Coach: Backstrom

Italy (4-3-3): Palmisani; Kayode, Comuzzo (Calvani 81’), Chiarodia, Bartesaghi (Ahanor 66’); Ndour, Lipani, Dagasso (Venturino 55’); Fini (Cherubini 55’), Ekhator (Faticanti 81’), Koleosho. Substitutes: Daffara, Favasuli, Cacciamani, Okoro. Coach: Baldini

Goals: 18’ penalty Koleosho (I), 22’ Koleosho (I); 50’ Ndour (I), 63’ Lipani (I)

Referee: Simon Bourdeaud’hui (Belgium)
Assistants: Michele Seeldraeyers (Belgium), Jonas Van Dyck (Belgium)
Fourth Official: Nicolas Laforge (Belgium)

Notes: Yellow cards – Chiarodia (I), Bartesaghi (I)